Safe Sex Practices More Important Than Ever

Unsafe Sex Is Now The Biggest Health Risk Among Women Worldwide

It's safe to say your teenage years probably aren't the time when you're most worried about your health, but according to the authors of a new report, what happens during adolescence can play a huge role in determining your health for the rest of your life.

The report, which was published in the Lancet and is the result of a commission to look at health challenges facing young people worldwide, found that today's teens are growing up in a world where preventable and treatable health issues, such as HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy, abound. Among the most shocking findings of the report: For women between the ages of 10 and 24, unsafe sex is the fastest-growing risk factor for illness and death worldwide.

To determine the major causes of death among young people, the report's researchers observed changes in this group's health over 23 years. At first, STIs didn't even rank as a risk factor for death, but nevertheless, they reached number one by the end of the research period.

Speaking to Shape, endocrinologist and fertility expertDavid Diaz, MD, suggests that young people have adopted a more laid-back attitude about casual sex, which might make them less likely to practice safe sex. "There's an attitude of invincibility, of thinking, This won't happen to me, that leads young people to take risks, and it's a disaster waiting to happen," he says. Additionally, STIs don't always come with visible symptoms — the only way you can be sure is to see a doctor.

The bottom line: Use condoms, get tested early and often, and maintain open lines of communication with your sexual partners. Practicing safer sex is a good way to keep it fun.

Click through to Shape for more on maintaining your sexual health and well-being. (Shape)